Ezekiel 30 6

Ezekiel 30:6 kjv

Thus saith the LORD; They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down: from the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword, saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 30:6 nkjv

'Thus says the LORD: "Those who uphold Egypt shall fall, And the pride of her power shall come down. From Migdol to Syene Those within her shall fall by the sword," Says the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 30:6 niv

"?'This is what the LORD says: "?'The allies of Egypt will fall and her proud strength will fail. From Migdol to Aswan they will fall by the sword within her, declares the Sovereign LORD.

Ezekiel 30:6 esv

"Thus says the LORD: Those who support Egypt shall fall, and her proud might shall come down; from Migdol to Syene they shall fall within her by the sword, declares the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 30:6 nlt

"For this is what the LORD says:
All of Egypt's allies will fall,
and the pride of her power will end.
From Migdol to Aswan
they will be slaughtered by the sword,
says the Sovereign LORD.

Ezekiel 30 verses

Ezekiel 30 6 meaning

Ezekiel 30:6 pronounces the certain and comprehensive judgment of God upon Egypt and all its supporting allies. It declares that Egypt's inherent pride and perceived strength, along with the nations and people who relied on it, would collapse completely through military destruction. This devastation would extend across the entire land of Egypt, from its northern border (Migdol) to its southern extremity (Syene), emphasizing the thoroughness of the impending doom.

Ezekiel 30 6 Context

Ezekiel 30:6 is situated within a broader oracle of judgment against Egypt, spanning chapters 29-32. This particular verse deepens the prophecy by extending the pronouncement of doom beyond Egypt itself to include all nations and individuals who supported or relied upon it. Historically, Egypt had been a powerful, ancient kingdom often acting as a counterweight to Mesopotamian empires, tempting Judah and Israel to seek its alliance instead of trusting in the Lord. This period saw Judah leaning heavily on Egypt to resist Babylon, a choice frequently condemned by prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

Chapter 30 specifically foretells the coming "day of the LORD" against Egypt, described as a day of thick clouds and national anguish (v. 3). The sword, likely wielded by Nebuchadnezzar (as implied elsewhere in Ezekiel, e.g., Ezek 29:19-20), is the primary instrument of this divine judgment. The mention of "Migdol to Syene" (Migdol being a northern border city, and Syene, modern Aswan, a southern one) is an idiomatic expression signifying the entirety of the Egyptian land, leaving no part untouched by the impending catastrophe. This context underlines the consistent prophetic message: placing trust in any human power over the Sovereign God leads to inevitable downfall.

Ezekiel 30 6 Word analysis

• Thus says the LORD: (כֹּה אָמַר אֲדֹנָי - koh amar Adonai). This is a standard and emphatic prophetic formula, immediately establishing the divine authority and unquestionable truthfulness of the subsequent declaration. Adonai (Lord) emphasizes God's sovereign mastery.
• Those who support Egypt: (וְנָפְל֤וּ סֹמְכֵי־מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ - v'naflu somkhei-mitzrayim). Somkhei (סֹמְכֵי) comes from the root samakh, meaning to lean, rest, support, uphold. It refers to allies, props, or those who depend on Egypt's power, financially or militarily. This highlights the interlinked fate of Egypt and its dependents.
• shall fall: (וְנָפְל֤וּ - v'naflu). From the Hebrew root nafal (נָפַל), meaning "to fall." In a military context, it signifies defeat, overthrow, collapse, or dying in battle. The repetition later in the verse reinforces its certainty.
• and all her proud strength: (וְיָרַד֩ גְּא֨וֹן עֻזָּהּ֙ - v'yarad g'on uzzah).
  • G'on (גְּא֨וֹן) signifies pride, majesty, arrogance, or exalted dignity. It captures Egypt's self-assuredness and historical stature.
  • Uzzah (עֻזָּהּ) denotes strength, might, or power. Together, it represents Egypt's national glory and formidable military capacity which was a source of its boast.
• shall collapse: Implied by v'yarad (וְיָרַד), from yarad (יָרַד), meaning "to go down, descend." When applied to "proud strength," it conveys the idea of humiliation, ruin, and utter destruction.
• From Migdol to Syene: (מִמִּגְדֹּ֣ל עַד־סְוֵנֵ֗ה - mi-migdol ad-s'weneh). This is a geographical merism, encompassing the entire length of Egypt. Migdol was a fortified settlement in the north-eastern delta (Ex 14:2, Num 33:7, Jer 44:1, 46:14), and Syene (modern Aswan) was a major city near the southern border with Cush. The phrase emphatically conveys total, nationwide destruction.
• they shall fall by the sword: (בַּחֶ֣רֶב יִפְּלוּ־בָ֑הּ - ba-ḥerev yipplu-vah).
  • Ḥerev (חֶרֶב) means "sword," clearly indicating death and devastation through military conflict and direct violence.
  • Yipplu is again from nafal, "to fall."
  • Vah (בָּהּ) "in her" (referring to Egypt) emphasizes that this widespread falling will occur within Egypt's own borders.
• declares the Sovereign LORD: (נְאֻם אֲדֹנָ֥י יְהֹוִֽה - n'um Adonai YHWH). This concluding formula powerfully reiterates divine authorship and absolute certainty. Adonai YHWH (the Lord GOD/Sovereign LORD) signifies God's supreme authority as the covenant-keeping God (YHWH) and universal ruler (Adonai).

Words-group analysis

• "Thus says the LORD... declares the Sovereign LORD": These bracketing phrases underscore the divine origin and incontrovertible truth of the prophecy. They elevate the pronouncement above human opinion, asserting God's ultimate authority over nations.
• "Those who support Egypt shall fall, and all her proud strength shall collapse": This pairing directly links the fate of Egypt's allies and Egypt's own inherent strength. It implies that reliance on Egypt is foolish, as Egypt itself, due to its arrogance (g'on), is destined for ruin.
• "From Migdol to Syene they shall fall by the sword in her": This vivid phrase highlights both the comprehensive geographic scope and the brutal means of the judgment. No part of Egypt, and no one within its borders (whether Egyptian or ally), will be spared the sword, illustrating the absolute nature of God's judgment.

Ezekiel 30 6 Bonus section

The destruction of Egypt in Ezekiel is not merely a political or military event but carries profound theological weight. It serves to teach the nations, including God's own people, that "they will know that I am the LORD" (a recurring phrase in Ezekiel, especially concerning judgments against other nations and Egypt in particular, e.g., Ezek 29:9, 16, 21; 30:8, 19, 26). The phrase "proud strength" (גְּא֨וֹן עֻזָּהּ) links Egypt's downfall to its hubris, a common theme in divine judgment against nations throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Tyre in Ezek 28, Babylon in Isa 14). This teaches a universal truth about the transient nature of human power when set against the eternal God.

Ezekiel 30 6 Commentary

Ezekiel 30:6 is a potent declaration of divine sovereignty over national pride and misplaced trust. It confirms that reliance on the seemingly invincible power of nations like Egypt is a direct affront to God and will lead to certain ruin. The "proud strength" of Egypt, built on centuries of dominion and wealth, is targeted as the source of its downfall, highlighting God's opposition to human arrogance that rivals His own authority. The precise geographical markers ("From Migdol to Syene") illustrate that God's judgment is not partial or limited but utterly exhaustive, impacting every corner of the land. This prophetic message would have resonated with Judah, a nation often tempted to ally with Egypt against encroaching powers. It served as a stark warning: God alone is worthy of trust, and any deviation leads to the same fate as those on whom trust is falsely placed. Ultimately, the verse affirms that earthly empires, no matter how great their "strength," are temporary and subject to the judgment of the one true Sovereign Lord.